Legging.



G. W, DULLES. LEGGING. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 30, 1911.

Patented Oct. 31, 1911.

rs si'rfrns Arnnr ormon.

CHARLES W. DULLES, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

LEGGING.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES W. DULLES, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Legging, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists of a legging which without the use of straps and buckles may be easily and conveniently attached and detached, and which is constructed to be detachably retained in place without lacing, buttoning or strapping and be thus held in place without interfering with movement of the leg and without affecting the circulation in the leg.

It further consists in certain improvements upon a legging for which Letters Patent, No. 890,346, were granted to me on June 9, 1908, by which improvement a more convenient, healthful and attractive application of the legging is attained.

It further consists of other novel features of construction all as will be hereinafter fully set forth.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention, I have shown in the accompanying drawings one form thereof which is at present preferred by me, since the same has been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which my invention consists can be vari ously arranged and organized and that my invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organization of these instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the frame for my improved legging. Fig. 2 represents a front elevation of such frame. Fig. 3 represents a view from above of such frame. Fig. l represents a side view of the legging in operative position.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the figures.

Referring to the drawings :in the legging disclosed in my above mentioned patent, two encircling spring-bands or clasps are connected by straight stays, one of which extends down along the front edge of the tibia or shin-bone, while the other two extend down the back of the leg, holding the rear edges of the covering together. In said patented legging, the bands and the stays are at right angles, and I have found from practical use that such arrangement Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 30, 1911.

Patented Oct. 31, 1911.

Serial No. 605,431.

does not admit of such comfortable fit nor afford such freedom of movement for the leg as my improved legging which I shall now proceed to describe.

In the present form of legging, the frame also consists of an upper bandor clasp, 1, and a lower band or clasp, 2, to which the ends of a front-stay, 3, and two rear stays, 4, are secured by rivets or in any other suitable manner. The clasps and the stays are constructed from flat spring band-metal, such as band-steel or flat Wire. The upper band, however, is so secured to the upper ends of the stays as to extend around the leg, below the lmee-joint and above the calf, in such manner that the band, when in position upon the leg, will be rearwardly and downwardly inclined, thereby admitting of the rear stays being fastened to the ends of the band so that the latter may suitably embrace the leg and bring the rear stays to bear against the back of the calf of the leg to practically close the cover upon the back of the leg and fit it accurately and anatomically. The lower band or clasp is similarly riveted or fastened to the lower ends of the stays, and is also secured that it is downwardly and rearwardly inclined to clasp the ankle and permit of full freedom of upward movement for the instep at the ankle joint. The front stay is preferably provided with a slight forward curve, 5, at its lower end, to conform to the corresponding curve of the leg, and the rear stays are constructed with an upper curve 6, the concavity of which is inside, and with a slight lower curve 6, the concavity of which is outside to conform to the fullness of the calf of the leg, that they may firmly, but with out discomfort, bear against the back of the same. The frame is covered by a covering, 7 of leather or other suitable or desired material, preferably lined, and of substantially the shape of a high bootleg, open at the rear, where two flaps, 8, meet and substantially cover the back of the leg. The lower portion of the covering below the lower band, consists of a flap or vamp, 9, which fits over and flexibly covers the instep of the foot of the wearer.

This device, like my patented device, is especially adapted for Wear during automobiling, motor-cycling, hunting, etc., although, of course, it maybe employed for any use where a legging or puttee is desirable, and the legging may be easily slipped on by merely separating the rear ends of the clasps by pulling upon the rear edge flaps, and may be quickly removed by drawing forward the extension at the knee. The frame of the legging will cause the latter to perfectly and snugly fit the anatomical outlines (surface) of the leg without binding tightly against the same and interrupting or impeding circulation in the leg or free movement of all muscles and joints, due to the inclined adjustment of the clasps or bands and the fitted shape of the stays, and the clasps, both stays or clasps being shaped to conform to the anatomical outline of the respective parts of the leg. By shaping the rear stays to conform to the shape of the calf of the leg and by securing the upper ends of such stays to the rear ends of the upper clasp or band, the rear edge flaps of the cover may be brought close together so as to fully protect the leg. It will be noted that the upper clasp is suitably oval or approximately heart-shaped, the wider part of which is adapted to be seated at the rear of the leg to conform to the anatomical outline thereof, while the lower clasp is suitably oval-shaped, the wider part of which is adapted to be seated at the front of the leg to conform to the anatomical outline thereof adjacent the ankle, whereby both clasps will suitably-conform to that portion of the leg about which it is to engage.

It will be noted that a legging will fit either leg so that there is no left or right legging.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In a device of the character stated, a frame consisting of an upper and a lower clasp or band of open form and front and rear stays, said clasps being secured to said stays to be rearwardly and downwardly inclined, the forward stay being curved to conform to the curve of the tibia of the leg and the rear stays being attached at their ends to the ends of said clasps and being outwardly curved to conform to the shape of the calf of the leg, and said upper clasp being oval with the wider part at rear and the lower clasp being oval with the wider part at the front thereof.

CHARLES W'. DULLES. Witnesses C. D. MoVAY, F. A. NEWTON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

